After weathering frigid temperatures in the northeast while training, the Abington Heights senior is looking forward to today's Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship meet in San Diego, Calif. where it is expected to be 70 degrees and sunny.

"It's been tough, but I was fortunate that we had a couple of decent days two weeks ago when I was able to get out and not have to battle the cold," Barrett said. "Let's just say that I am looking forward to getting out to California.

"Really, though, this is so exciting. I never could have dreamed after last year's that I could have a season like this. It's been amazing."

On Nov. 30, Barrett qualified for the national championships by winning the Northeast Regional race at Van Cortlandt Park, N.Y., finishing the 5K in 17 minutes, 32.3 seconds.

That win followed her PIAA Class AAA championship and Times-Tribune Runner of the Year honors.

Recently, Barrett was also named the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association Female Athlete of the Year in cross country.

For the Penn State recruit, the national championships will be her latest challenge. The race will feature 40 runners made up of the top 10 finishers from each of four regional championship races.

South Regional champion Caroline Alcorta, Sprinfield, Va., who is committed to the University of North Carolina; the Midwest Regional champion Kelcy Welch, Carmel, Ind.; and West Regional champion Makena Morley of Montana, who placed ninth at the national meet as a freshman and 24th last season, headline the list of qualifiers.

Dallas High School's Regan Rome also qualified after finishing eighth at the Northeast Regional.

"I just want to go out there, run well, and have fun," Barrett said. "I am really looking forward to meeting and racing against the best runners in the country."

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